JOINT HENRY COUNTY/CITIES TRANSPORTATION PLAN

CHAPTER III: THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

Henry County and its Cities have a multimodal transportation system that serves all of the various land
uses and development patterns within their jurisdictions. While different modes of transportation are
found in Henry County (e.g., transit, pedestrian/bicycles, automobile, ridesharing) by far the major means
of mobility in the County is the automobile. Given the changing dynamics of the County’s population and
the more urbanized nature of its land use patterns, examining the potential role of other transportation
modes is appropriate. This view was confirmed through many public workshops and comments received
from citizens and community stakeholders. Subsequent chapters of the CTP address the needs and
plans for creating a more balanced transportation system with good networks for autos, trucks, bicyclists,
pedestrians, and public transportation users.

Components of the System

Henry County has a wide range of transportation facilities that represent a variety of transportation modes
for both passengers and freight transport. As part of this study, the current performance of these modes
was examined and the expected performance through the year 2030 was modeled. The following
components make up the multimodal transportation system in Henry County:
• Roadways
• Freight Railroads
• Bridges
• Bus Transit Systems
• Sidewalks
• Bike Lanes and Trails
• Aviation Facilities
For an efficient transportation system to exist, each mode of the transportation system must be connected
to and mutually supportive of each other. Each part of the system is important in that it provides
accessibility and mobility to meet the travel requirements of residents and other travelers, or to transport
various types of freight.

System Characteristics and Usage

Understanding the various types of transportation infrastructure in Henry County, as well as
understanding how it is utilized, will allow Henry County to make informed decisions about investing in
transportation infrastructure of all types throughout the planning period (to 2030). This section of the CTP
will highlight the following elements of Henry County’s transportation system:
• Major Transportation Corridors;
• Functional Classification System;
• Collector and Local Streets;
• Bridges and Interchanges;
• Freight Transport;
• Aviation Facilities;
• Public Transportation;
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Systems.

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As part of the CTP, a Data Analysis Report was prepared to compile the data and information relevant to
transportation in Henry County. The data compiled for the CTP include municipal and county information
on traffic counts and crashes, information on local development and special studies, locally-funded
transportation projects, including the County’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST)
programs, and pertinent planning information developed for the Joint Henry County/Cities Comprehensive
Plan.
The report also documents information gathered by regional and state agencies on traffic volumes,
crashes, roadway and bridge deficiencies, regional transit ridership, and planned and programmed
transportation improvements, etc. Previous planning efforts, such as the ARC’s 2030 Regional
Transportation Plan, its Congestion Management System, Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, and
Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) projects, were also examined. GDOT’s planning efforts that impact the
County include the Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, Interstate System Plan, and Work Program
(its listing of planned and programmed projects).
Roadway characteristics data included roadway functional classification, which GDOT uses for planning
and funding purposes, and Henry County uses in reviewing proposed developments. There are currently
two separate roadway classification systems for GDOT and the County. The need to more closely align
the County’s system with GDOT’s system is discussed in Chapter XII.
Additionally, data collection and analysis focused on non-highway modes of transportation, including local
public transportation, express bus service, park and ride facilities, passenger rail, freight rail, bicycle and
pedestrian, trail, and airport facilities. The report also examined traffic control systems within the County,
including an inventory of existing traffic signals, incident management systems, and a summary of the
system performance from the travel demand model. The full report is located in the Appendix.
Figure III - 3 through highlight key aspects of the existing multimodal (roads, public transportation, bicycle
and pedestrian) transportation system in Henry County. Table III- 2 summarizes key facts about current
transportation conditions in Henry County.

Major Transportation Corridors

Henry County has an established network of roadways which connect its municipalities. These roadways
provide access and mobility throughout the County; however, there are a core set of roadways that serve
the majority of the transportation needs, as shown in Figure III - 1. These major corridors provide the key
transportation infrastructure in the County, not only for automobiles, but for trucks, railroads, and public
transit users. Interstate 75, Interstate 675, U.S. 19/41 (Tara Boulevard), U.S. 23/SR 42 and SR 155
provide for the majority of north-south movements in the County. The major roadway corridors for the
east-west movements are SR 20, SR 81, and SR 138.
Norfolk Southern operates rail lines in Henry County and detailed information regarding the rail system is
presented in the Appendix. The bicycle and pedestrian network in Henry County is not extensive;
however, some major corridors include sidewalks and in some cases, wide shoulders, to accommodate
bicyclists. These major corridors are SR 138 and state routes around McDonough Square. Express bus
services and local paratransit services use these major corridors as well.

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Figure III - 1 Major Transportation Corridors

Source: Henry County and GDOT

Interstate 75: Henry County’s Priority Corridor

The I-75 corridor traverses the entire length of Henry County for a distance of just over 17 miles and
serves as a nationally-significant artery serving inter-state, inter-regional, regional, and local travel needs.
Through most of its length, I-75 is a four-lane divided freeway with seven (7) interchanges located at SR
138/North Henry Boulevard, Hudson Bridge Road/Eagles Landing Parkway, Jodeco Road, Jonesboro
Road, SR 20/Hampton Locust Grove Road, SR 155, and Bill Gardner Parkway.

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Figure III - 2: I-75 Interchange Locations and Alternate Routes in Henry County Area

Source: GDOT Roadway Characteristics

It is part of the National Highway System (NHS) designated by the U.S. Congress and plays an important
role in providing mobility for passengers and freight, connecting major military installations to support
national defense, and linking major intermodal facilities, such as ports, major commercial service airports,
and rail facilities. While I-75 clearly serves a mobility function beyond the needs of Henry County
residents, I-75 is a vital transportation asset and high transportation priority for Henry County.
I-75’s Mobility and Land Use Challenges
In Henry County, the I-75 Corridor, while the responsibility of the Georgia Department of Transportation
(GDOT), strongly influences the land use and development and community character of the lands
surrounding it on both sides. Much of the community and regional scale commercial development in
Henry County is located along or near the I-75 corridor. Many of the County’s major employers and
industries, especially a large number of warehousing and distribution companies, rely on the I-75 corridor
for their business functions. Many of the warehouse and distribution areas access I-75 at the GA 20 and
SR 155 interchanges. Finally, the relatively large stock of vacant, developable land in Henry County,
some of which is in the vicinity of I-75, is attractive to both commercial and residential development.

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In terms of mobility, the I-75 corridor presents some particular challenges in Henry County, including:
• The increase in truck travel nationally and in Georgia impacts I-75 in Henry County. The percent
of truck volumes on I-75 in Henry County ranges from 7.6% between SR 138 and Redwood Valley
Road to 10.5% at Walt Stephens Road1. This increase in truck traffic is rapidly consuming some of
the available roadway capacity.
• Additionally, from time to time, serious truck-related incidents impact traffic operations, forcing
travelers to use U.S. 23/SR 42 and U.S. 19/41, the only two continuous north-south routes in Henry
County. U.S. 23/SR 42 is located about one to two miles (1-2) east of I-75 and traverses the
traditional downtown areas in Locust Grove, McDonough, and Stockbridge, both of which have
constrained roadway conditions due to development. U.S. 19/41 is located about five to six (5-6)
miles west of I-75. The lack of alternative north-south routes impedes traffic flow, particularly in the I-
75 corridor.
• The growth in vehicular traffic, other than trucks, is also placing pressure on the corridor. The
average annual daily traffic in 2005 ranged from 111,000 between SR 20 and SR 155 to 156,000 at
Walt Stephens Road. This represents an increase of 9 to 18% over 2000 levels2.
• New commercial and non-commercial development is being attracted to the I-75 corridor in
relatively small developments as well as medium-sized and large master-planned developments, and
Developments of Regional Impact (DRI), such as the Southpoint Regional Mall. State and local
officials are challenged to identify viable alternative north-south corridors that could connect these
developments and relieve I-75 as developments are planned and developed in a piecemeal manner.
However, some opportunities for service roads or north-south connector roads on either side of I-75
can be found. An example of this approach is Mount Olive Road, located west of I-75, between
Jodeco Road and Jonesboro Road. Other such opportunities will also materialize as new
development is drawn to the corridor. Special efforts by Henry County and its municipalities are
needed to collaborate during the development review process in the identification of service
roads or future road rights-of-way that will serve new and existing development in order to
protect mobility in the I-75 corridor.
Funding Improvements in the I-75 Corridor
Since I-75 is a NHS route and is part of the Interstate Highway System, the responsibility for planning,
developing, operating, and maintaining the route belongs to GDOT. Special funding categories have
been established by the U.S. Congress to improve and maintain NHS routes. At a national level, many
states, including Georgia, have funding needs for NHS routes that far outstrip their ability to afford
improvements and upgrades. The increasing demand in the I-75 corridor throughout Georgia, including
Henry County, is placing increasing pressure on GDOT and Georgia’s State Road and Tollway Authority
to examine non-traditional methods for financing transportation infrastructure improvements.
Currently, SRTA, along with GDOT, are studying the potential for a “managed lane” concept on I-75 in
Henry County whereby certain lanes would be tolled based on levels of congestion and drivers could opt
to use express lanes at a price. The toll revenues generated from the priced lanes would help pay for
additional roadway capacity (more lanes). The results of this study are expected in mid-late 2007.
The currently adopted ARC Long-Range Transportation Plan (Mobility 2030) has identified the following
improvements to I-75. The projects shown with an asterisk (*) have funding identified in ARC’s
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for 2006-2011. The projects identified in the LRTP do not
have an identified funding source associated with them at the present time.

1
Truck percentage per the GDOT 2006 vehicle classification counts from the Automatic Traffic Count database. The Truck
Percentage by Location includes the following types of trucks: busses, 2-axle single unit trucks, 3-axle single unit trucks, 4-axle
single unit trucks, 3-axle or 4-axle single trailers, 5-axle single trailers, 5-axle single trailers, 5-axle multi-trailers, 6-axle multi-trailers,
and 7-axle multi-trailers.

2
The source for AADT traffic counts is GDOT Automatic Traffic Count database for year 2000 and 2005.

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Table III - 1: Mobility 2030 RTP I-75 Improvement Projects in Henry County

Project
Number Work Type Description Program Date
Intelligent
I-75 Advance Transportation Management System -
AR-431 * Transportation 2007
Communications/Surveillance from Hudson Bridge Rd to SR 155
System
Intelligent
I-675 Advance Transportation Management System -
AR-433A,B * Transportation 2008
Communications/Surveillance from I-285 S to I-75 S
System
Intelligent
I-75 South Ramp Meters from Cleveland Ave in City of Atlanta to
AR-443 * Transportation 2008
Hudson Bridge Rd in Henry County
System
Interchange
HE-AR-232 * I-675 at I-75 auxiliary lanes (southbound only) 2010
Upgrade
Interchange
HE-AR-216 * I-75 at Jodeco Rd 2012
Capacity
HE-AR-213 Transit Facility I-75 Park and Ride Lot at Eagle’s Landing Pkwy 2015
I-75 High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes from SR 54 (Jonesboro Rd)
AR-H-051 * HOV Lanes 2016
in Clayton County to Eagle’s Landing Pkwy in Henry County
I-75 High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes from Eagle’s Landing Pkwy
AR-H-052A,B HOV Lanes 2024
to SR 155
Interchange
CL-AR-248 I-75 at I-675 2025
Capacity
Capacity
HE-AR-220 I-75 from I-675 to SR 920/Jonesboro Rd 2030
Improvements
Source: ARC’s 2030 Regional Transportation Plan Mobility 2030

Although GDOT is responsible for the mainline and interchanges along I-75, the land use decisions and
the arterial road system planned, developed, and operated by Henry County and its municipalities also
influences the operation of the I-75 corridor. It is vitally important that Henry County and GDOT
continue to work together to assure that the I-75 corridor, including its connecting arterials and
other local roads in the vicinity, function as efficiently as possible as a holistic, integrated system.
These discussions will also require consideration of the nature, location, and intensity of proposed land
uses within and near the corridor. GDOT does not have a role in the approval of development proposals,
other than to review and comment on DRI applications. So GDOT must rely on coordination with County
and municipal officials who are responsible for considering the impacts of new development on the
transportation system, including I-75.
Henry County’s transportation planning activities and transportation infrastructure funding programs (i.e.
SPLOST and general revenue programs) must be closely coordinated with GDOT initiatives to realize the
greatest public benefits for travelers. Henry County and GDOT should also support each other in finding
traditional and non-traditional methods of funding transportation improvements in the I-75 corridor.

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Table III- 2: Fast Facts About Henry County – 2006

Topic Fact
• Sixth (6) fastest growing county in the U.S.
• 3 to 1 ratio of population to jobs
• 2 out 3 people commute to jobs outside the County
Population, Demographic, and
• 2/3 of the County’s land is vacant or undeveloped
Commuting Trends
• 4th in the nation in rate of new housing starts
• Current residential density is 0.75 persons per acre
• 2nd least dense county in Metro Atlanta
• I-75 handles over 130,000 vehicles per day
• I-75 and I-675 handle the most traffic in the County,
followed by U.S. 23/SR 42, U.S. 19/41, SR 138, and
SR 155
Roads and Bridges • From 2000 to 2030, the amount of vehicle miles of
travel is expected to increase by 118% compared to
the region’s growth of 51% (over twice as fast)
• About 1 in 4 bridges in Henry County will need to be
rehabilitated or replaced in the next 25 years
• About 20,300 vehicular crashes occurred on roads
in Henry County in the three-year period from 2002
Safety to 2004
• The intersection of SR 138 and US 23/SR 42 has
the highest number of crashes
• Henry County Transit serves nearly 40,000 round
trips per year
Public Transportation • Two express bus routes serve Henry County with
about 540 person trips each day (about 137,000
person trips per year)
• Two freight rail lines both operated by Norfolk
Freight Transport
Southern are located in Henry County
Sources: US Census and PB Team

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Figure III - 3: Existing Transportation System – Highways and Rail

Source: GDOT and Henry County GIS

Functional Classification
Roadways are grouped into functional classes according to the character of traffic they are intended to
serve. In the State of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has the primary
responsibility for maintaining a system of classifying roadways. This system is used in making roadway
improvement funding decisions statewide. There are four major functional classifications for roadways:
expressway or freeway, arterial, collector, and local roads.

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• Expressway/Freeway - Provides the highest level of service at the greatest speed for the
longest uninterrupted distance, with a high degree of access control.
• Arterial - Provides the next highest level of service at moderate to high speeds, with some
degree of access control. Arterials are typically classified as major arterials or minor arterials.
• Collector - Provides a lower level of service at a lower speed for shorter distances by
collecting traffic from local roads and connecting them with arterials. Collectors are typically
classified as major collectors or minor collectors.
• Local - Consists of all roads not defined as expressways, arterials, or collectors; primarily
provides access to land with little or no through movement.
The County has just over 21 miles of interstate highways (I-75 and I-675), almost all of which are part of I-
75. A small portion of I-675 branches off of I-75 in the northwest section of the County and extends
northeast, providing a connection to I-285. There are also approximately 203 miles of arterial roadways
in the County and 1,136 miles of collectors and local streets. These collector and local roadways connect
the neighborhoods and businesses to the major corridors in the County. Figure III - 4 illustrates the
GDOT system of functional classification in Henry County.
Over the years, Henry County has developed its own system of roadway classification that is reflected in
its Comprehensive Plan. The County’s roadway classifications are not entirely consistent with GDOT’s
system, which has caused difficulties for transportation funding decisions as well as land use decisions.
The County has indicated its desire to align its roadway functional classification system more closely to
GDOT’s, where possible. This will occur through a phased approach to requesting functional
classification changes through the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and GDOT. The recommended
changes related to roadway functional classification are described in detail in Chapter XII.

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Figure III - 4: GDOT Functional Classification System

Source: GDOT Roadway Characteristics Database

Bridges and Interchanges

One of the critical concerns for Henry County is the condition of the numerous bridges and interchanges
in the study area. Deficient bridges pose a major obstacle to a fully functional road network due to load
limits or other deficiencies. The study area was reviewed to identify all bridges and assess the need for
potential improvements. The GDOT Bridge Management System data, in particular the sufficiency rating,
were reviewed to identify where and when bridge and/or interchange improvements may be needed.
One hundred and thirteen (113) bridges currently exist within the County. Based on the sufficiency rating,
a majority of the bridges are in good condition and not in need of any major maintenance or upgrade
activities. There are fifteen (15) bridges that have a sufficiency rating below 50 and are in need of

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maintenance and rehabilitation – nine (9) of these structures are already programmed for improvements
as part of the Henry County SPLOST or the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
Additionally, there are nineteen (19) bridges that have a sufficiency rating below 75 and should be
considered candidates for maintenance and rehabilitation during the planning horizon of this study. Three
of these structures are already programmed for improvements as part of the Henry County SPLOST or
the STIP. The Appendix contains details on these bridges.

Freight Transport
The identification of freight corridors and preservation of freight mobility is a key component of the Joint
Henry County/Cities CTP. There are currently five major roadway corridors in Henry County that are
designated as truck routes which are shown in Figure III - 5, including I-75, I-675, U.S. 23/SR 42, SR 20,
and SR 155. There are two active rail lines in the County that serve freight travel, both of which are
north-south lines. It should also be noted that at the time of this writing, the ARC is developing a
Regional Freight Mobility Plan. Henry County has been chosen as a land use analysis case study in that
planning process. Recommendations of the regional freight plan, as well as other regional and state
efforts should be taken into consideration during the implementation of this CTP.

Railroad Facilities
Norfolk Southern operates the two (2) active freight rail lines in Henry County which are part of the 1,777
miles of track in Georgia. Henry County is well served by these lines with approximately 32 miles of rail
lines. The lines through the Atlanta area carry mainly through traffic to and from ports in the eastern
United States, such as Charleston and Savannah. There are numerous at-grade crossings in the County,
consequently, from time to time, rail traffic stops vehicular traffic on the roadway network. Between
January 2000 and September 2003, there were no incidents (crashes) reported to the Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA) on any of the rail lines operated in Henry County.
The Norfolk Southern mainline between Atlanta and Macon runs through the central part of Henry
County. The line primarily parallels US 23/SR 42 and runs through the Cities of Stockbridge, McDonough
and Locust Grove. This line bisects these downtowns and there are numerous at-grade crossings in this
corridor. According to the Georgia Freight Rail Plan, this line handles approximately 35 to 59 trains a day
and carries approximately 52 million gross tons per mile (MGT/M) annually. This line carries the third
highest freight tonnage into and out of the Metro Atlanta area.
Norfolk Southern also operates another line between Atlanta and Macon that passes through Henry
County. This line enters the County parallel to Highway 3 on the border with Clayton County and runs
approximately due south through the City of Hampton and into Spalding County. There are numerous at-
grade crossings along this rail line. According to the Georgia Freight Rail Plan, this line handles about
four (4) trains per day and carries less than three (3) MGT/M annually. This rail line is a secondary line
and currently does not have a major impact on the area. However, this line is under consideration for a
proposed commuter rail line which would increase the train traffic through the western part of Henry
County and could potentially impact traffic circulation near the line.

Freight Activity and Commodities

Several companies depend on freight operations in Henry County. A majority of these freight operations
involve trucks; however some of the businesses are located along railroads and utilize trains for the
movement of their freight. The major commodities moved by the railroads that originate within the County
include nonmetallic mineral and lumber products, while terminating commodities include building
materials such as clay, concrete, glass and stone products. Overall, the Georgia Freight Plan predicts a
1.3% annual growth rate for nonmetallic minerals and concrete/glass products and a declining annual
growth rate (–1.6%) for lumber products.
A potential key indicator for growth of freight traffic in Henry County is the activity at the Ports of
Savannah and Charleston. Over the period to 2030, the volume of freight through the Ports of Savannah
and Charleston is expected to grow. This growth will likely result in increased volumes of train and truck
traffic through Henry County, due primarily to its location near I-75. Additionally, the lack of north-south

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roadway alternatives to I-75 suitable for freight transport make Henry County vulnerable to serious traffic
disruptions when major traffic disruptions on I-75 occur. While I-75 is the responsibility of GDOT, the
County should advocate for and participate in transportation strategies to reduce traffic incidents and
enhance incident management in the I-75 corridor.
The Metro Atlanta region, including Henry County, has a huge stake in the successful performance of the
national, state, regional, and local freight transport system. Figure III - 5 displays the railroad corridors
and designated truck routes (Surface Transportation Assistance Act – STAA routes) for Henry County.

Figure III - 5: Freight Transportation Facilities

Source: GDOT Roadway Characteristics Database

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Need for Rail/Highway Grade Separations

Throughout the CTP development process, the need for rail/highway grade separations (generally roads
over railroads) was raised by citizens and stakeholders. The need for grade separations is apparent
because of the close proximity of the Norfolk Southern rail line to the town centers of McDonough and
Locust Grove. A rail/highway grade separation is already located on SR 138 in the vicinity of
Stockbridge’s town center, near its proposed new City Hall complex.
The detailed identification of grade separations is beyond the scope of the CTP; however, as new
transportation projects are identified and evaluated in the McDonough and Locust Grove areas, the
potential for new rail/highway grade crossings should be a consideration on a case-by-case basis. The
construction of grade separations in some locations in eastern Henry County is problematic due to the
presence of historic properties, close proximity to neighborhoods and other sensitive land uses, difficulties
with spanning the railroad, impacts on adjacent properties, and the cost of the structures. However, as
eastern Henry County continues to grow and develop, and rail traffic grows due to economic activity in
Metro Atlanta, the need for separating vehicular and rail traffic will also grow. Grade separations could
provide benefits including facilitating local traffic movements and preserving the integrity of emergency
vehicle access, particularly in activity centers such as Stockbridge, McDonough and Locust Grove. A
challenge for Henry County and its Cities is the high cost of such transportation improvements relative to
the benefits they provide.

Aviation Facilities
There is currently one airport located in Henry County, the Clayton County – Tara Field (CTAF) Airport.
While the airport is physically located in Henry County west of the City of Hampton, it is owned and
operated by Clayton County. The nearest commercial aviation airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
International Airport (HJAIA) in Atlanta, which is approximately 18 miles away. Clayton County – Tara
Field has one runway which is a 4,500 foot x 75 foot runway with a non-precision approach. Figure III - 6
shows the commercial service and general aviation airports in and near Henry County.
The Clayton County Airport is currently listed by GDOT’s General Aviation System Plan as a Level II
Airport – a business airport of local impact. GDOT has established an objective of a minimum runway
length of 5,000 feet and a width of 100 feet for Level II airports. Currently, the Clayton County Airport
does not meet this objective; however, a 500-foot runway extension to Runway 6/24 has been identified
by GDOT as a planned project and would enable the airport to reach Level II status.

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Figure III - 6: Aviation Facilities

Source: Georgia Data Clearinghouse

There are approximately 181 airplanes based at the airport with an average of 96 operations per day.
Approximately 43% of operations are local general aviation and 57% are transient general aviation. The
Clayton County – Tara Field airport is currently meeting, and expected to continue to meet, the aviation
demands in Henry County.
The land use surrounding the airport consists mainly of open fields with some residences. The Atlanta
Motor Speedway (AMS) is located less than a mile from Clayton County – Tara Field and about three (3)
miles west of Downtown Hampton. The proximity of the airport to AMS and the large amount of
undeveloped or under-utilized land in the vicinity of these two important activity centers makes more
intense development of this area likely in the future.

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In addition to the Clayton County-Tara Field airport, there are several Federal Aviation Authority (FAA)
registered general aviation landing strips throughout the County, including:
• Airfield 8A5 – Moseley Road east of SR 138;
• Airfield 4A0 – Millers Mill Road east of SR 138;
• Airfield GA04 – Mallard Lane north of Hampton-Locust Grove Road;
• Airfield GA36 – River Road west of SR 81;
• Airfield GA88 – Panola Road west of Hearn Road;
• Airfield GA89 – Shoreline Way north of Jonesboro Road;
• Airfield 54GA – Jonesboro Road west of Dutch Town Road;
• Airfield 63GA – Airline Road south of McGarity Road;
• Airfield GA0 – Millers Mill Road east of Springdale Road;
• Airfield 7GA6 – Lester Mill Road north of Hampton-Locust Grove Road; and,
• Airfield (no FAA designation) on Nail Mill Road west of Iris Lake Road.

Public Transportation
Limited public transportation services are provided in Henry County. Three types of public transportation
services or facilities are currently provided in Henry County: local paratransit services, express bus
service, and park and ride facilities. A fourth type is under consideration by GDOT and its planning
partners, commuter rail service linking Atlanta and Lovejoy with a proposed extension into Henry County.
In 2000, approximately 96% of the County residents drove alone or carpooled to work, and less than one
(1) percent used a form of public transportation, according to the U.S. Census. This is not surprising
given the lack of travel options present in the County at that time. These statistics represent a time period
before GRTA’s Xpress express bus service was an option for Henry County residents.

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Figure III - 7: Existing Public Transportation Services and Facilities

Source: GRTA and GDOT

Local Public Transportation

One type of public transportation service available to County residents is Henry County Transit, a local
paratransit service which is targeted to serve seniors, disabled individuals, and low income persons. This
transit system consists of vans which operate on an appointment basis for transport within Henry County.
Transportation is also provided to Clayton County, but only for medical appointments. Henry Transit

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riders tend to be low-income, elderly and transit-dependent individuals whose trips relate to personal
business or medical needs. Since it does not provide fixed route, fixed schedule services over a large
span of time each day, Henry Transit is not oriented to commute trips. Riders must make reservations 24
hours in advance; however a five-day notice is preferred. The operating hours are from 7:00 AM to 5:00
PM on weekdays. Some of the key destinations for this service include:
• Henry Medical Center;
• McDonough Senior Center;
• Fairview Senior Center;
• Georgia Division of Children and Family Services;
• Henry County Health Department;
• Development Disabilities Center;
• Counseling Centers;
• Henry County Administrative Office;
• Wal-Mart stores; and
• Target.
The fare is $2.00 per stop for seniors (age 60 or older) and $4.00 per stop for riders under 60 years old.
Approximately 45% of the riders are seniors. Currently there are approximately 37,100 one-way
passenger trips per year. The associated costs for these services are approximately $419,000. Henry
County Transit is reimbursed 40% of the costs in federal and state funds for these services.
As part of the services provided to residents of Henry County, the Georgia Department of Human
Resources (DHR) is designated to provide transportation for the seniors and disabled individuals to vital
DHR services. This service currently yields approximately 41,600 one-way passenger trips per year. The
associated costs for these services are approximately $469,600.
Figure III - 7 displays the existing public transportation services and facilities for Henry County. It should
be noted that Henry County Transit operates its service countywide.

Express Bus Service

Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) is a state authority tasked with improving mobility, air
quality and land use practices in areas designated as air quality non-attainment areas throughout
Georgia. In Metro Atlanta, GRTA operates a regional commuter bus service called Xpress. Currently
there are two (2) Xpress bus routes in Henry County and a third route is planned with initial operations
beginning in early 2007.
Route 430 runs along I-75 from a park and ride lot located south of SR 20 on Industrial Parkway (west of
I-75) in McDonough to Downtown Atlanta, stopping at both the Five Points MARTA Station and the
MARTA Civic Center Station. This route picks up passengers from 5:45 AM to 7:45 AM and from 3:30
PM to 6:10 PM at approximately 15-minute headways. Approximately eight (8) buses serve this route in
Henry County each weekday. Ridership for this route has been steadily increasing and as of June 2005,
there were approximately 5,500 riders per month.
Route 440 runs primarily along Tara Boulevard (U.S. 19/41) from the park and ride lot at Atlanta Motor
Speedway to Downtown Atlanta, stopping at both the MARTA Five Points Station and the MARTA Civic
Center Station. Stops are also provided at Clayton County Justice Center and Kelly Avenue/Mt Zion
Road. This route operates from 5:30 AM to 8:10 AM at approximately 30-minute headways and from
3:40 PM to 6:35 PM at approximately 30-minute headways in Henry County. Approximately seven (7)
buses serve this route in Henry County each weekday. Ridership for this route has been steadily
increasing and as of June 2005, there were approximately 7,500 riders per month. Table III - 3 shows the
total monthly and average daily ridership for Routes 430 and 440 for the 2005-2006 fiscal year.

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The final Xpress route is Route 432 and it is planned to operate between Stockbridge and Downtown
Atlanta. The exact route was not yet determined at the time of this report.

Table III - 3: GRTA Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Ridership*

Route 440
Route 430 Route 430 Route 440 Average
Total Ridership Average Ridership Total Ridership Ridership
July 5,595 266 7,899 376
August 8,022 382 10,689 509
September 8,497 405 11,499 548
October 8,977 428 12,582 599
November 8,221 411 11,230 562
December 7,051 336 9,176 437
January 9,357 446 11,290 538
Februray 9,034 452 9,366 468
March 9,793 426 10,920 475
April 8,542 427 9,282 464
May 9,847 428 10,519 457
June 9,815 446 10,898 495

Total 102,751 125,350

Source: GRTA
st th
*GRTA’s fiscal year is from July 1 – June 30 .

Park and Ride Lots

There are three (3) park and ride lots located in Henry County. Two of them are provided as part of the
GRTA Xpress bus system and one is provided by GDOT. The locations are as follows:
• GRTA Xpress Park and Ride Lot - McDonough – Industrial Parkway south of SR 20; and,
• GRTA Xpress Park and Ride Lot - Atlanta Motor Speedway.
• GDOT Park and Ride Lot – I-75 at Jodeco Road
Additional park and ride lot facilities are expected to be constructed as new Xpress bus routes come on
line in Henry County. Figure III - 7 illustrates the location of the presently existing lots.

Passenger Rail Service

At the present time, there is no intercity or regional rail passenger service in Henry County. For several
years, the State of Georgia through GDOT and the Georgia Rail Passenger Authority (GRPA) have been
considering the implementation of a 103-mile commuter rail line connecting Macon and Atlanta.
According to projections by GDOT, the number of commuter rail trips expected on the line in 2030 is
7,600 trips per day. Most of these trips are expected to have origins in Henry, Clayton and Spalding
Counties traveling into Atlanta. The proposed line will utilize existing rail right-of-way and operate on a

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combination of existing and proposed new tracks operated by Norfolk Southern. GRPA has identified
benefits of the system including:
• Reduced trips on I-75, equivalent to one lane of traffic;
• Increased time savings and decreased crash rates;
• Controlled traffic environment and improvement of air quality; and,
• Improved rail tracks and stations for Middle and South Georgia.
As an initial step in the commuter rail implementation, GDOT has been working on the implementation of
commuter rail service between Downtown Atlanta and Lovejoy, located in Clayton County. There has
been some discussion of extending this service and adding a stop in the City of Hampton. The City has
already designated a planned site for commuter rail service, if it is implemented.
Some localized impacts from the proposed commuter rail service can be expected on local traffic
circulation, including minor delays at rail/highway crossing as passenger trains pass, increased travel
activity near commuter rail station areas, etc. A decision on this proposed service has not yet been
made; however, a Grade Crossing Safety Recommendations Report was completed in October 2003 and
lists recommendations for some at-grade crossings along the proposed commuter rail line. The report
recommends closing three public (North Steele Drive, Amah Lee Road and Floyd Road) and six private
crossings.
The Henry County Chamber of Commerce and other individuals and organizations in Henry County have
been supporters for the implementation of a regional commuter rail initiative. Proponents of the rail
service point out that there are very few existing regional transportation arteries (both highways and
transit) linking Atlanta’s central core with Henry County and its suburban neighbors. The congested
conditions existing in the I-75 corridor now and those expected in the future as well as the lack of
opportunities to construct major new roadway corridors to relieve I-75 limit traditional transportation
options. Finally, the rapid population and employment growth anticipated for Henry County and other
parts of the southern tier of the region and concerns about the cost of fuel all demonstrate the need for
more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly travel choices for residents of the Metro Atlanta area,
including Henry County. Opponents of the proposal cite concerns about the potentially low ridership
levels, the public costs of subsidizing the service, and the low-density development patterns present in
large areas of the County and region. All of the points made by both proponents and opponents are
important public policy considerations.
Even given these considerations, what is most compelling is that the existing transportation system
together with the already planned and programmed future improvements are not sufficient to meet the
mobility needs in Henry County and the southern tier of the region as a whole. Regional transportation
investments, regardless of which transport mode is implemented, require a significant rethinking of the
land use and development patterns that will be served to enable the transportation improvements to be
functionally and financially viable. This is true of both highway and public transit system alternatives. The
existing low-density development patterns and historic lack of coordinated land use and transportation
planning present throughout Metro Atlanta, including Henry County, have made providing high capacity
public transportation systems very challenging. More creative, coordinated land use and development
planning and regional transportation system planning will be required to address these future needs,
throughout the region as well as in Henry County.
While the issue of commuter rail implementation has strong supporters on both sides; the ultimate
responsibility for its implementation rests with regional and state agencies, rather than local governments,
such as Henry County and its Cities. It should be noted that a significant level of interest in and support
for commuter rail service was expressed by local community leaders and citizens through the public
outreach activities held for the CTP. A more detailed description of this interest can be found in Chapter
V: Community Visioning.

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Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities

Most of the land area within unincorporated Henry County does not have sidewalks; however, within the
four cities, there are sidewalks in key areas, such as portions of Downtown McDonough, Locust Grove,
Hampton and Stockbridge. Sidewalks are also provided in several of the newer subdivisions such as
Eagles Landing and Heron Bay. Henry County is currently developing priorities for enhancing their
bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The County’s goal is to provide a bicycle and pedestrian network to
serve the local and regional needs of the communities. These facilities should be promoted as a safe and
healthy transportation option throughout the region for potential users.
There are no existing multi-use trails in Henry County; however there are two (2) planned and
programmed multi-use trails for Henry County. The Reeve’s Creek Trail is included in GDOT’s State
Transportation Improvement Program, while the Locust Grove Connection Trail is part of GDOT’s
Construction Work Program. The program dates for these projects have not yet been assigned.
In 2003, a Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was completed by ARC. The Plan is currently in the
process of being updated. The 2003 Plan was designed to assist bicyclists in determining the most
suitable routes in Henry County. The suitability of a roadway was based on several factors, such as:
traffic volumes; speed limits; shoulder width; truck volumes; and number of driveways. Table III - 4
displays the recommended facilities identified in the 2003 Plan that were found to have the highest
suitability for bicycle and pedestrian use in Henry County.
As part of the CTP effort, GDOT’s Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (GABPP) was reviewed to
identify proposed facilities through Henry County. One statewide route was identified through Henry
County. The Central Route Corridor which extends in a north-south direction generally along Highway 3
from Clayton County to Spalding County. The route is approximately 6.7 miles long. This segment is part
of the statewide bicycle trail that extends from the March to the Sea Route in Cobb County to US 41 at
the Florida/Georgia State Line, covering approximately 329 miles.

Table III - 4: Recommended Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities

Location Description
Austin Road Church Road to Hearn Road
White Drive SR 138 to SR 155
Oakland Blvd Downtown Stockbridge to Pinehurst Drive
Selfridge Road SR 155 to Crumbley Road
Rowan Drive E Lake Road to Airline Road
Pates Creek Road Noah’s Ark Road to Mitchell Road
Carl Parker Road Clayton County Line to Babbs Mill Road
Dutch Town Road Jonesboro Road to Mount Carmel Road
N Steel Drive Hwy 3 to Conkle Road
Bridges Road Industrial Pkwy to SR 20
Turner Church Road SR 155 to Conyers Road
The Farm Road Turner Road to N Ola Road
Country Side Drive Turner Church Road to N Ola Road
Steel Drive SR 81 to Skyline Drive
Hwy 3 Amah Lee Road to Oak Street

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Table III - 4: Recommended Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities

Location Description
Strickland Road Simpson Mill Road to Hampton Locust Grove Road
Walker Drive Strickland Road to McDonough Road
Iris Lake Road King Mill Road to Coan Drive
Laney Drive S Ola Road to New Hope Road
S Bethany Road Downtown Locust Grove to Price Drive
Davis Lake Road Hampton Rd to Colvin Drive
Lester Mill Road Indian Creek Road to Locust Grove/Griffin Road
S Ola Road Leguin Mill Road to Old Jackson Road
Source: 2003 ARC Henry County Bicycle Suitability Map – Atlanta Regional Commission

Citizens and stakeholders suggest that bicycle and pedestrian travel options represent more of a quality
of life issue than alternative transportation mode at the present time. However, as the County grows and
develops, important opportunities to expand and enhance the bicycle and pedestrian networks in the
County and the Cities will materialize. The local government jurisdictions should take advantage of these
opportunities as they arise in order to provide viable travel options other than the private car to improve
mobility in Henry County.

Existing and Future Activity Centers

During the CTP development, a great deal of coordination between the development of the
Comprehensive Plan and the CTP was undertaken. This coordination included the identification of key
existing and emerging future activity centers that need to be served by the transportation system in Henry
County.
Activity centers range in size and composition from small rural crossroad locations to traditional
downtowns to large, suburban job centers to unique locations with statewide significance, such as the
Atlanta Motor Speedway. They may include a mix of land uses, including residential, office, retail,
service, civic, or other uses that create a central focus, cover a relatively defined area, and have
recognizable boundaries. Some activity centers are single use in nature (i.e. Atlanta Motor Speedway).
These activity centers are relevant to the CTP because the transportation system must recognize and
account for the special mobility and access needs inherent in the nature of each type of activity center.
The details of the types, configurations, land use mixes, and other details of the activity centers are
documented in the Joint Henry County/Cities Comprehensive Plan. Figure III - 8 illustrates the location of
these activity centers. The most significant existing activity centers in Henry County include:
• Downtown McDonough
This activity center contains the county seat for Henry County (Henry County Courthouse) and is
the site of one of the County’s most notable and interesting landmarks – McDonough Square.
Downtown McDonough has a mix of commercial, office, civic, retail, residential and other uses.
One of its challenges is its location at the intersection of five major routes (SR 20, SR 81, US
23/SR 42, and Jonesboro Road, SR 155) in central Henry County. In recent years, US 23/SR 42
has been reconstructed as a set of one-way pairs through McDonough. The proposed
McDonough Parkway is intended to provide an alternate route around the central core of
McDonough to reduce through traffic around McDonough Square.
• Downtown Locust Grove

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Downtown Locust Grove is located just south of the intersection of US 23/SR 42 and Bill Gardner
Parkway in southeastern Henry County. Its location near the Norfolk Southern rail line presents
traffic circulation challenges given the short distance between the downtown area, US 23/SR 42,
and the railroad. The presence of SR 42, while providing good access to Downtown Locust
Grove, is also problematic because it is used by through traffic, including heavy trucks. It is also
a challenge to the downtown area when traffic disruptions on I-75 force more vehicles to use US
23/SR 42. Additionally, the presence of Peeksville Road, an important east-west roadway
serving the extreme southeastern part of Henry County, causes traffic circulation problems. The
road terminates at US 23/SR 42, just east of Downtown Locust Grove. Realigning it with Bill
Gardner Parkway would alleviate this difficulty, but the presence of historic properties in the area
complicates the situation. The City of Locust Grove is actively working on attracting new mixed
use development to the downtown area and finding a suitable roadway connection from
Peeksville Road to Bill Gardner Parkway.
• Downtown Stockbridge
Downtown Stockbridge is located in the area surrounding the intersection of East Atlanta Road
and North Henry Boulevard (SR 138) in northern Henry County. The City is in the process of
creating a new City Hall complex and mixed use development at this location to serve as a focal
point for the community. The City is also working to attract new commercial enterprises along SR
138 in and near the downtown area.
• Downtown Hampton
Downtown Hampton is located in southwestern Henry County just north of the interchange of U.S.
19/41 and SR 20. One of the County’s most significant activity centers is located about two miles
west of Downtown Hampton – the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Hampton is the smallest municipality
in the County at the present time in terms of population; however, its location near the crossroads
of two major regionally-significant roadways could stimulate significantly high levels of growth in
the future. At the present time, the local government is not seeking growth opportunities due to
its limited infrastructure systems.

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Figure III - 8: Existing and Proposed Activity Centers in Henry County

Final as of January2007

Source: Joint Henry County/Cities Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map as of August 2006

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• Eagles Landing/Henry Medical Center area

This activity center is located along Eagles Landing Parkway/Hudson Bridge Road at I-75 in
central Henry County. The activity center is a mix of high-end residential, commercial, light
industrial, retail, and conservation land uses. The Henry County Medical Center and associated
health-related businesses and offices are located in the northeast quadrant of the I-75/Eagles
Landing Parkway interchange. On the west side of I-75, a new Wal-Mart, hotel, and restaurant
uses have emerged. The combination of these developments make this location an important
activity center in Henry County, one which draws local and regional trips to the area.
• Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS)
The Atlanta Motor Speedway is important not only to Henry County and the City of Hampton, but
to the Metro Atlanta region and the State of Georgia. AMS is located in the western part of Henry
County just south of Clayton County and west of the City of Hampton. This NASCAR venue
draws visitors from across the nation and throughout Georgia to its races several times each
year. Thousands of visitors are attracted to AMS for each event which causes severe traffic
congestion on roadways in Henry County, including I-75, SR 20, SR 19/US 41, and other county
and local roads, especially in and around the City of Hampton. A significant amount of vacant
land is located adjacent to AMS which could result in additional transportation demands from new
land uses in the future.
• Henry Town Center
The Henry Town Center is located just west of I-75 along Jonesboro Road in west-central Henry
County. This area contains some of the County’s largest commercial developments, including
Home Depot, Sam’s Club, Best Buy, Target, and other major national chain stores. The area
also contains numerous national and local chain restaurants and specialty stores. A new movie
theater was recently constructed in the area east of I-75. This major commercial area draws both
local and regional trips.
• SR 138 Activity Center
This activity center is located along one of the County’s most significant roadway corridors, North
Henry Boulevard (SR 138). The roadway connects the County to Clayton County on the west
and Rockdale County on the east. Many of Henry County’s largest clusters of commercial
development are located in this area, especially between I-75 and East Atlanta Road, at the
center of Stockbridge’s downtown area. This area includes many local and national chain
businesses, including furniture and appliance stores, banks, hotels, restaurants, office supply
stores, and specialty stores. This activity center is the closest one in the County to the Hartsfield-
Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
In addition to these major existing activity centers, others are emerging, such as Southpoint Mall, a
regional mall located just west of I-75 at SR 20. New land uses, in addition to the current residential,
office, and commercial uses, are also emerging in the SR 20 corridor west of I-75. Smaller activity
centers are emerging near residential areas in the eastern part of the County, especially east of
McDonough. All of these areas were identified as part of the Joint Henry County/Cities Comprehensive
Plan. A map of these locations can be found in Figure III - 8.
The importance of creating and supporting activity centers of all sizes and compositions in Henry County
and its Cities is crucial to maintaining a coherent vision of future growth and development that optimizes
the performance of the transportation system. The process for integrating the location of the activity
centers with the CTP is described in more detail in Chapter IX.

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